Autocar India
•6w

My car budget is Rs. 15-25 lakh on-road. My annual usage is around 8,000 km, primarily within Delhi city, with 1-2 highway trips with family every year. I am looking for an automatic car. Please suggest suitable options.

Verified
•6w

Pick the Kia Seltos 1.5 petrol IVT. In Delhi traffic, it feels easy and calm, the automatic is smooth, the steering is light, and the ride takes broken patches and speed breakers without fuss. For the odd family highway trip, it has a roomy back seat and a large boot, and it feels stable at speed, so everyone stays comfortable.

Your running is low, so petrol makes sense, and you avoid the complications that can come with diesel ownership. The 1.5-litre petrol with the IVT suits stop-go use better than the quicker turbo options, and it fits your budget comfortably, depending on the variant. Expect about 10-11kpl in the city and 14kpl on the highway.

One thing to know: this automatic feels relaxed rather than fast when you press on, and the engine can sound a bit vocal if you really floor it. If you want something with a touch more performance, then the Honda Elevate CVT is also worth a look, but the Seltos is the nicer all-rounder for family use.

Kia Seltos

Kia Seltos

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Kia Seltos

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•6w

Thanks so much for the prompt response! You guys are the best

•5w

Hi, I have just retired and live in Bengaluru. I am looking for an automatic transmission car in a budget of around 15 lakhs. My daily usage is around 20 kms.

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•21h

I currently own a 2021 Hyundai Creta Diesel, which has covered nearly 2 lakh km without any major issues. I am now planning to buy a new diesel car/SUV with a budget of around Rs. 18 lakh (ex-showroom). My usage is primarily long-distance highway driving. I have shortlisted the Mahindra XUV 7XO, Tata Sierra, Tata Harrier, Kia Seltos, and Hyundai Creta. Considering the current market and long-term ownership, which one would you recommend?

Verified
•3h

For your usage, the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel is the best fit. You are doing very high mileage with long highway runs, so diesel efficiency and strong performance are the priorities. This Mahindra car is one of the most refined and powerful diesel SUVs in this price range, and it is also a very comfortable long-distance car with a spacious cabin - including a third row of seats - and a strong feature set. The Tata Harrier is also a good highway car with a strong diesel engine and a comfortable ride, but the 7XO is a more refined and better-rounded package overall. However, both these are in a higher segment, which means your budget will only get you a low- to mid-range variant. In the segment below, the Tata Sierra diesel is a newer product and looks very promising, but its diesel engine doesn't feel particularly strong considering its size and weight. The Hyundai Creta is just a facelifted version of your current car and hence won't feel as new, while the Seltos, though new and larger, uses the same engine as your Creta, and like the Sierra, doesn't feel as powerful given the SUV's size. Overall, the 7XO feels like the more premium and more complete product for your usage, but if you're not happy with the features on offer in your budget, try the Seltos instead.

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•1d

I currently own a 2010 Hyundai i20 and a 2013 Honda City, and I'm looking to upgrade to a sedan or midsize SUV under Rs 30 lakh as my primary family car for five people. While I enjoy driving, I tend to prioritise features over outright driving performance, which is why I chose the i20 over the VW Polo back then. I had almost booked the Renault Duster Iconic, but the limited rear legroom, awkward rear door handle placement, concerns about the turbo-petrol's fuel efficiency, and the lack of some modern features made me reconsider. I've test-driven the Kia Seltos, and it ticks almost all the boxes, but I'm still struggling to get used to the flush door handles. I also considered the Tata Sierra (quality concerns and lacking the outright luxury or performance of its rivals), Hyundai Creta (feels dated), the Volkswagen/Skoda duo (look too small, and my wife ruled them out), and the Mahindra XUV 7XO (no physical switchgear), but ruled them out. I've been waiting nearly three years for the right car, and now I feel like I'm running out of options. Am I being too picky, or is there another car I should consider?

Verified
•4h

The Kia Seltos is the right car for you, as it meets your requirements of features, size, space, quality and performance. The flush door handles can be annoying, especially during the rains when they collect dirt inside, but are not a deal-breaker and can be grown accustomed to. The Seltos is the most complete package in this segment: it offers a premium cabin, strong feature list, good rear seat space for five, and a driving experience that strikes a nice balance between comfort and engagement. The turbo petrol is punchy and not as thirsty as some others, and the overall ownership experience is dependable.Your concerns about the other cars are valid, and while no model is perfect, this Kia car feels like the one that suits your needs best. If you're looking for an alternative, don't rule out a sedan. The Skoda Slavia and Volkswagen Virtus are both due for facelifts soon, and the updated versions might be worth your while, offering driving pleasure, space and features in good measure.

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•2d

I own a 2022 Hyundai Venue Diesel (base model), and I'm planning to upgrade to a new car. I'm looking for a vehicle that is more comfortable, more spacious, and offers good fuel efficiency. My monthly driving is around 700-800 km, with most of it in the city and only occasional highway trips.

Verified
•1d

Given your requirements, the Tata Sierra Turbo is a good option to consider, but it may not be the best fit for your usage pattern. Your monthly running of 700-800 km, mostly in the city with only occasional highway trips, means fuel efficiency and ease of driving are more important than outright performance. The Sierra Turbo is a spacious and comfortable SUV with a modern design and a premium feel, but its turbo petrol engine is more performance-oriented and may not deliver the best fuel efficiency in city conditions.A better fit for your needs would be the Kia Seltos with the 1.5 litre petrol engine and the CVT automatic gearbox. The powertrain is smooth and easy to drive and perfect of cities and even on the highway the performance and overtaking ability is adequate. With the new generation Seltos, Kia have improved cabin space - especially at the rear - and the ride quality too. These are not class best but good enough and something you should be happy with. Being a Kia reliability is also good and the service network is quite wide spread.

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•6d

I want to buy a low-maintenance car for my father, who is 65 years old. My budget is around 15 lakh. His daily commute is around 30-40km, and he also visits our farm 7-8 times a month. Which car would you recommend?

Verified
•5d

For your father, the Maruti Suzuki Brezza petrol automatic is the most sensible recommendation. At 65, ease of use, reliability and low maintenance are far more important than outright performance or flashy features. The Brezza’s naturally aspirated petrol engine is simple, proven and well-suited to a 30-40 km daily commute, while the automatic gearbox makes city driving effortless. Maruti’s service network is the best in the country, which means low running costs and peace of mind over the long term.This Maruti Suzuki car also has enough ground clearance and a robust suspension setup to handle occasional farm visits without any fuss. It is not the most exciting car in the segment, but it is comfortable, easy to drive and built for hassle-free ownership. At Rs 15 lakh, it is one of the most dependable choices you can make for your father. Since the Brezza facelift is just around the corner, you can wait for that or try to get a good deal on the outgoing model.

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•5d

I am a senior citizen, 5'10" tall, and currently own a 2012 Maruti Wagon R. I am planning to replace it and am considering the Swift, Wagon R, and Exter. How is the Hyundai Exter Petrol AMT for my needs? My usage is limited to city driving with low annual running. Which one would you recommend?

Verified
•5d

Given your requirements, the Hyundai Exter AMT is the best fit. As a senior citizen with city-only driving and low annual kilometres, the Exter offers the right balance of ease of use, comfort and practicality. The higher seating position makes ingress and egress easier, visibility is excellent, and the AMT gearbox is smooth enough for city traffic. The cabin is more spacious than the Swift, especially in terms of headroom and rear seat comfort, and the ride quality is better over broken roads. Compared to the Wagon R, the Exter feels more premium, better built and more refined, while still offering the same ease of use and practicality. The Swift is a good car, but its lower seating position and tighter rear seat make it less suitable for your needs. The Wagon R remains a practical choice, but the Exter is a clear step up in comfort, safety and overall ownership experience. Go for the Exter AMT, and you will have a car that is easy to live with for many years.

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•5d

I am 37, now I want a low-maintenance car for me. Also, I have to run sometimes 300 km in a day, so suggest me a better mileage and low maintenance car under the budget of 5-6lakh.

Verified
•5d

The Maruti Suzuki Celerio is the best fit for your requirements. It is one of the most fuel-efficient petrol cars in the segment, has a proven ownership track record, and Maruti's service network ensures low maintenance costs over the long term. The 1.0-litre petrol engine is simple, reliable and well-suited to both city use and occasional highway runs. You even have the option of an AMT automatic for greater convenience. If you are open to CNG cars, the Celerio CNG is also worth considering, as it will significantly reduce running costs on your longer trips. The only drawback is that the Celerio is a compact hatchback, so if you regularly carry more passengers or luggage, you may want to look at the Maruti Suzuki Wagon R instead, which offers more space while retaining the same low maintenance and reliability advantages. Overall, the Celerio strikes the best balance between fuel efficiency, reliability and low ownership costs for your usage pattern.

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Posted on: 9 Jun 2026